The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word HOOP
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
H
O
O
P
More clues leading to the result HOOP
- Jump round ring; shouldn’t one jump through it?
- The round of house work?
- None impressed by dance band
- Husband rings father about start of Liverpool game
- Circle dance goes around in a circle
- Soho open-air boxing ring
- Extra circle in dance – suggestion for the hula?
- Sign of bad cough? Ring and stop work
- It goes round and round in dance
- Housework, something to jump through
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Magic target" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case magic target = hoop.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HOOP mean?
HOOP noun- A circular band of metal used to bind a barrel.
- A ring; a circular band; anything resembling a hoop.
- A circular band of metal, wood, or similar material used for forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.
- A circle, or combination of circles, of thin whalebone, metal, or other elastic material, used for expanding the skirts of ladies' dresses; (hence, by extension) a hoop petticoat or hoop skirt.
- A quart pot; so called because originally bound with hoops, like a barrel. Also, a portion of the contents measured by the distance between the hoops.
- An old measure of capacity, variously estimated at from one to four pecks.
- The rim part of a basketball net.
- (in plural, metonym) The game of basketball.
- A hoop earring.
- (metonym) A jockey; from a common pattern on the blouse.
- (usually in the plural) A horizontal stripe on the jersey
- (usually in the plural) A requirement that must be met in order to proceed.
- To bind or fasten using a hoop.
- To clasp; to encircle; to surround.
- A shout; a whoop, as in whooping cough.
- The hoopoe.
- To utter a loud cry, or a sound imitative of the word, by way of call or pursuit; to shout.
- To whoop, as in whooping cough.